The revised scheme will replace a suite of benefits and provide grieving parents with an initial lump sum and up to 18 monthly payments.

Under current legislation, widowed parents can receive payments until their youngest child leaves school.

Speaking to Emma Barnett on BBC Radio 5 live, dad-of-three Ferdinand said: “I don’t understand how the Government can actually say there’s a time scale on it, because there is no time scale on anything to do with bereavement.

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A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions said: “We’re updating an old system that was based on the outdated assumption that a widowed parent relied on their spouse for income, and would never work themselves.

“This doesn’t reflect people’s lives today.

“The 18 month Bereavement Support Payment helps with the immediate costs when someone loses their spouse or civil partner and the support can help protect families from sudden financial difficulties.

“Once the payments come to an end, there are means-tested benefits which can continue to support the bereaved, especially those who are bringing up children.

“The new payment is easier to claim, won’t be taxed and doesn’t affect the amount received from other benefits, helping those on the lowest incomes the most.”

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